Search Lake County Warrant Records

Lake County warrant records are managed by the Lake County Sheriff's Office and the Clerk of the Circuit Court in Tavares. With a population of about 380,000 people, Lake County sits in central Florida between Orlando and Ocala. You can search for active warrants through the statewide FDLE database or use the clerk's online case portal to find bench warrants and capias entries. The sheriff's office handles warrant service for the entire county, and most of this information is open to the public. Both online and in-person options exist for anyone who needs to look up warrant records in Lake County.

Lake County Sheriff's Office Warrants

The Lake County Sheriff's Office is the main agency that handles warrant records in the county. They serve all warrants issued by judges in the 5th Judicial Circuit. The office is at 360 W. Ruby Street in Tavares. You can call (352) 343-2101 for general questions about warrants. Deputies in Lake County process both felony and misdemeanor warrants that come through the court system. The sheriff's office also works with other law enforcement agencies in the area when a wanted person crosses county lines.

If you need to check on a warrant in Lake County, the sheriff's office directs people to the FDLE Public Access System. This free tool pulls active warrant data from all 67 Florida counties. No account is needed. Under Florida Statute 901.04, warrants are directed to all sheriffs in the state. A warrant filed in Lake County can be served by any sheriff in Florida. This also means warrants from other counties can be served by Lake County deputies.

Lake County Clerk of Court Records

The Lake County Clerk of the Circuit Court keeps all court case files that include warrant activity. When a judge signs a bench warrant or capias in Lake County, the clerk records it in the case docket. You can search these records online through the clerk's website. The office is located at 550 W. Main Street in Tavares. Call (352) 742-4100 for help with records requests.

The clerk's website for Lake County provides access to case records and court documents.

The online portal lets you search by name or case number. Warrant entries show up in the docket once the court files them. If you need copies of specific documents tied to a warrant in Lake County, you can request them in person at the clerk's office or by mail. Fees for copies depend on the document type and whether you need certified versions.

Note: The clerk's online system may show bench warrants before they appear on the statewide FDLE database for Lake County.

How to Search Lake County Warrants

The fastest way to check for warrants in Lake County is through the FDLE Public Access System. Go to the wanted persons page and type in the name you want to look up. The system is free and open to everyone. It shows active warrants reported by law enforcement from all 67 Florida counties, including Lake. Results show the warrant type and the agency that filed it.

You can also search through the Lake County Clerk's online case search. That tool is useful when you need to find bench warrants or capias entries tied to a specific court case. The clerk's system shows docket entries with dates and details on each action taken. For direct help, call the sheriff's office at (352) 343-2101 or stop by their office on Ruby Street in Tavares.

To search warrant records in Lake County, try these options:

• FDLE Public Access System for active warrants statewide
• Lake County Clerk online case search for bench warrants and capias
• Sheriff's office by phone at (352) 343-2101
• In-person visit to the clerk's office at 550 W. Main Street in Tavares

Warrant Types in Lake County

Lake County records include several kinds of warrants. Arrest warrants are the most common. A judge signs one after finding probable cause, as set out in Florida Statute 901.02. Bench warrants come from a judge when someone fails to appear for a court date in Lake County. A capias is similar and can be issued by the Clerk of the Circuit Court. All of these end up in the Lake County warrant system and can be searched through public channels.

Search warrants work differently. Under Florida Statute 933.07, a search warrant must be carried out within 14 days or it expires. Arrest warrants in Lake County do not expire. They stay active until the person is found or a judge recalls the warrant. Even old warrants can lead to an arrest during a routine traffic stop or any other contact with law enforcement in the county.

Public Access to Lake County Warrants

Warrant records in Lake County are public under Florida's Sunshine Law. Florida Statute 119.07 says anyone can inspect and copy public records held by state and local agencies. You do not need to be the person named on the warrant. You do not need to give a reason for your search. This applies to both the sheriff's office and the clerk of courts in Lake County.

Some limits apply. Active criminal intelligence info can be held back under Florida law. Search warrant affidavits may stay sealed until the warrant is served. Under Florida Statute 901.16, when an officer makes an arrest on a warrant, they must tell the person why they are being arrested and that a warrant exists. The officer does not need to hold the physical warrant at the time of arrest but must show it as soon as possible if asked.

Note: Some warrant records in Lake County may be temporarily sealed if they are part of an ongoing investigation.

What to Do About a Warrant

If you find a warrant in your name in Lake County, talk to a lawyer first. Do not go to the jail or a police station on your own without legal advice. When you turn yourself in on a warrant, you must go into custody before you can post bond. A bail bondsman can help you through the steps. Some people have their attorney arrange a surrender, which can make the process go faster at the Lake County Jail in Tavares.

Warrants in Lake County do not expire. Even a warrant from many years ago can still be enforced during a routine stop or any contact with police. The longer a warrant stays open, the more likely it is to cause problems at unexpected times. Getting it resolved early gives you more options and lets you deal with the case on your own terms.

Cities in Lake County

Lake County includes communities like Clermont, Leesburg, Eustis, and Mount Dora. All warrant records in the county go through the Lake County Sheriff's Office and the 5th Judicial Circuit courts. None of these cities meet the population threshold for their own page, but warrant cases in all of them are handled at the county level.

Nearby Counties

These counties border Lake County. If you are not sure which county handles a warrant, check the address where the offense took place. Warrants are filed in the county where the case was opened.